Milestones

A milestone is a important moment or a significant event in the development of the City's history. Each milestone listed below marks a specific critical decision, event or project that helped shape our City.

To make it easier to follow, our milestones are organized by year. The most recent ones are at the top and the oldest ones are at the bottom of the page.

Note: We've also received many honors and awards. View a full list of accolades here.

Year	Centennial Milestones
2025	Implemented Streetlight Program National Women's Soccer League training facility breaks ground Legal notices available online Adopted Safety Action Plan City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization Expanded the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) Initiated Midtown Centennial development strategy
2024	Hosted a naming contest for the City's snowplows Completed the installation of a new bridge over Big Dry Creek on Arapahoe Rd. and University Blvd. City Council adopts ordinance approving Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
2023	Centennial received $900,000 in grant funding, due to the sale of the Denver Broncos Football team, to support youth activity programs Completed the Centennial Center Park 4-acre expansion with Arapahoe County Open Spaces Grant Launched MyCentennial mobile application City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization Partnered with the YMCA to open the Centennial YMCA Center of Generations Grand Opening of Explore Pathways for Innovative Careers (EPIC) Campus
2022	Building Division functions were brought in-house Completed the deployment and expansion of the City's Intelligent Transportation System Celebrated Centennial Center Park's 10 year anniversary Completed largest annexation in Centennial’s history with annexation of Dove Valley Regional Park, Cherry Creek Innovation Campus and adjacent vacant land City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization Initiated Centennial Movie Night Program City completed first Housing Needs Assessment
2021	Celebrated 20th year as an incorporated Colorado municipality Developed a Community Grant Program with two grants intended to improve neighborhood collaboration Launched Traffic Box Art Wrap Program to create a drive-by, year-round public art exhibit throughout the City City named a "Gallup Great Workplace' by the Gallup Organization Implemented a new licensing and regulatory program for Short-Term Rentals (STR) in Centennial Began exploring housing cost and availability in the City
2020	Centennial City Building forced to close for the first time due to the Coronavirus Pandemic City Council meetings conducted virtually for the first time City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization Centennial implemented a new Wheels & Reels movie event series Hosted a naming contest for the first trail spanning the entire City from east to west, and residents voted to name it the 'Centennial Link Trail'
2019	Centennial Mission, Vision & Values adopted by City Council Centennial implements Xcel Energy's Partner's in Energy's Energy Action Plan Centennial installs two Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at City facilities City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization Launched Spark Centennial program to support and promote local small businesses
2018	Mayor Stephanie Piko takes office Centennial NEXT comprehensive plan gets approved Centennial's Fiber backbone completed Joined SMART Cities Alliance City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization
2017	Established FiberWorks and the Fiber Commission Centennial is a founding member of the 'Colorado Smart Cities Alliance' aimed at making Colorado a leader in the development of intelligence City named a "Gallup Great Workplace" by the Gallup Organization Centennial Trails and Recreation Plan updated
2016	Initiated the Go Centennial pilot program to provide commuters free rides to and from Dry Creek Light Rail Station Centennial joins Transportation for America’s Smart Cities Collaborative to tackle urban mobility challenges City Council allocated $5.7 million to implement the City's Fiber Master Plan and begin constructing the 50-mile fiber backbone Arapahoe Road – Waco to Himalaya Widening Project Completed
2015	Topgolf opens first Colorado location in Centennial Centennial Youth Commission initiated Teen Court Received $1.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Teams program resulting in the creation of an innovation team (i-team) City Council developed goals and a Fiber Master Plan
2014	Inaugural Centennial 101 Citizen's Academy class offered to residents Centennial Center Park enhancements complete Final link to Centennial Link Trail complete Centennial becomes one of the 32 inaugural partner cities in national broadband initiative Centennial awarded Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Team Grant The Jones District redevelopment project breaks ground City purchases its first Arctic Shark to assist with ice removal
2013	Ballot Measure 2G passed to restore the City’s right and ability to leverage existing fiber optic infrastructure Eagle Street Facility officially opens to house Centennial Public Works, Animal Services, Code Compliance and the 24/7 Citizen Response Center Reevaluated the snow-route network, created efficiency savings and added 93 miles of streets so all citizens are within 1/8 mile or less of a plowed street Implemented 'Snow Hero' program to encourage people to clear snow and ice City Council extended Public Works contract with CH2M Hill (now Jacobs) into 2018 Created new program, 'Picture Centennial,' to feature work from local artists in the Civic Center Constructed a cover to the existing amphitheater stage at Centennial Center Park
2012	TABOR Ballot Measure 2D passed allowing the City to retain and spend City revenues from any and all current and existing funding sources Grand Opening of first City-owned park, Centennial Center Park (April 27) Acquisition of the Eagle Street Facility Hosted a Welcome Home Celebration at Centennial Center Park recognizing Colorado Olympians including resident Missy Franklin
2011	Colorado’s first IKEA opened in Centennial Senior Commission established to advise City Council on matters important to Older Americans Groundbreaking of Centennial Center Park of the Parker Jordan Centennial Open Space Open Space Grand Opening of the Centennial Link Trail Launched the Home Improvement Program (HIP) offering rebates for home improvement and remodeling costs Completed the City's first roundabout at E. Peakview Avenue and S. Peoria Street Purchased 44 acres of land from the United States Postal Service at Potomac and Fremont The Transportation Master Plan was completed with options to improve mobility throughout the City
2010	Mayor Cathy Noon takes office Centennial partners with Parker Jordan Metro District to acquire 80 acres of open space along Cherry Creek Updated Land Development Code adopted Centennial unveils Snow and Ice Control Plan Residents completed the first census since the City's incorporation in 2001 Youth Commission awarded first-ever Centennial Youth Achievement Award City started accepting new passport applications Completed first phase of the City's first Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Live audio streaming of City Council Meetings made available through the City's website Utilized funding from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, developed energy efficiencies (projects ranged from paperless review systems to LED traffic lights) The City converted all of its Traffic Signals to LEDs Centennial partnered with school districts to place school beacons throughout the City
2009	Election Commission, Audit Committee, Budget Committee and Investment Committee established as required by Home Rule Charter The renovated Streets at SouthGlenn opened Implemented online payment system for Municipal Courts Launched 'Explore Centennial' Shop Local program, March 2009 City Council adopted a Coyote Management Plan
2008	City purchased property at 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd. for new Civic Center and park City approved master plan for Parks, Trails, Recreation and Open Space Voters approved Home Rule Charter. The approved Charter serves as a "constitution" for the City Hosted the first 'Best of Centennial' Business Awards event CH2M Hill (now Jacobs) contracted to provide Public Works services which included a new Call Center operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year Planning & Development department functions were brought in-house after seven years of using a private contractor Signed a 10-year agreement for law enforcement services with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
2007	Election of 21 Home Rule Charter Commissioners Implemented a 10-month participatory visioning process: Our Voice, Our Vision, Centennial 2030 Citizens approved TABOR exemption allowing the City to keep revenues from fees and fines above the TABOR cap
2006	New Southeast Light Rail line opened at Dry Creek Station in Centennial Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) formed Initiated study of Arapahoe Road corridor from Yosemite Street to Parker Road
2005	Local Rotary Club hosted first Centennial "State of Our City" event
2004	Centennial's first Comprehensive Plan adopted Centennial dedicates its first Open Space: eastern section of Bow Tie Park Entered agreement with City of Aurora for Municipal Court Software Renewed contract for additional 3-years with Arapahoe County for Public Works, Law Enforcement and Animal Control services Broncos Parkway opens providing an east/west alternative to Arapahoe Road City Council approved Centennial Connection newsletter which is mailed to all residents
2003	Centennial Youth Commission established Centennial Municipal Court established Liquor Licensing Authority established 1% dedicated Sales and Use tax increase approved by the voters
2002	City Council adopts first Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct
2001	City of Centennial established February 7 Randy Pye elected as first Mayor Centennial voters approved a permanent TABOR waiver of sales taxes, property taxes and use taxes and a four-year waiver for all other revenues
2000	Voters approved the incorporation of the City of Centennial, with 77% of voters in favor
1999	District Court found the Centennial Petition to be valid and to take priority over competing annexation proposals and ordered an election on whether Centennial should be incorporated
1998	Arapahoe Citizens for Self-Determination founded Petition filed with District Court requesting election to incorporate found invalid Second Petition known as the “Centennial Petition” for election to incorporate submitted to District Court The “Centennial Petition” included - 2,500 signatures collected in six hours